8. Susanna Turner Gray DOUGLAS. Born in 1812 in North Carolina. At the age of 49, Susanna Turner Gray died in Henderson County, Tennessee in 1861. Alias/AKA: "Susan".

Susanna Turner Gray married Lewis William MEALS, son of Samuel MEALS (1759-1802) & Winnie JOHNSTON (1762-1828). Born on 3 Jun 1788 in Virginia. At the age of 67, Lewis William died in Henderson County, Tennessee on 11 Apr 1856. Buried in 1856 in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Henderson County, Tennessee.

Lewis Meals bought land in 1824 in what is the most northeastern survey section of Madison County, Alabama. In Alabama, Lewis Meals became a land commissioner and a Justice of the Peace in Madison County but he did not put down any roots. In 1835, he and Polly sold their Alabama land. By the time of the 1836 Tax list for Henderson County, Tennessee, Lewis Meals had become owner of 640 acres there. Whether a purchase or a grant for bounty land is not known. William Meals arrived in Henderson County as early as the 1830 census.

Military: Lewis Meals was commissioned on 8 November 1813 as an ensign in the Jefferson County, Tennessee, militia somewhat over a year after his marriage to Polly Weaver on 5 May, 1812.

They had the following children:

i.

Alabama. Born on 16 Oct 1841 in Tennessee. At the age of 20, Alabama died in Henderson County, Tennessee on 11 Aug 1862. Buried in Aug 1862 in Waller-Douglas Cemetery, Henderson County, Tennessee.

Alabama's funeral was preached on 9 November 1862 at Antioch by Reverend Charles Smith.

On 19 Nov 1861 when Alabama was 20, she married Henderson Carroll PETTY, son of James R. PETTY (1810-1876) & Vicey RUSSELL (1812- 1880). Born on 9 Sep 1832 in Carroll County, Tennessee. At the age of 81, Henderson Carroll died in Carroll County, Tennessee on 21 Mar 1914. Buried in Mar 1914 in Blair Cemetery, Clarksburg, 13th District, Carroll County, Tennessee. Resided in District 1, Carroll County, Tennessee in 1850. Resided in District 13, Carroll County, Tennessee in 1860. Resided in District 13, Carroll County, Tennessee in 1880.

William T.. Born on 15 Jun 1846 in Tennessee. At the age of 30, William T. died in Tate County, Mississippi on 7 Oct 1876.

On 8 Feb 1872 when William T. was 25, he married A.A. WHITE, in Desoto County, Mississippi.

iv.

Nancy J.. Born in 1849 in Tennessee.

9. William Abel DOUGLAS. Born in 1818 in North Carolina. At the age of 91, William Abel died in Tennessee in 1909. Buried in 1909 in Rock Springs Cemetery, Henderson County, Tennessee. Resided in House 144, 10th District, Henderson County, Tennessee in 1860. Resided in District 8, Henderson County, Tennessee in 1870. Resided in House 157, 8th District, Henderson County, Tennessee in 1880. Resided in First District, Henderson County, Tennessee in 1900.

According to information provided on a veteran's survey by William A. Douglas, Junior in about 1914, he provided the following information on his father William A. Douglas, Senior. He owned of 15 slaves as well as farmed 400 acres. His house consisted of two log rooms. He plowed, made shoes, bottomed chairs, was a blacksmith, and ran a grist mill using horsepower. His mother, Polly cooked, spun wool, weaved, milked, and churned.

Member in good standing as of 1850, Rock Springs Methodist Church, Henderson County, Tennessee.

Obituary: A Citizen of Henderson County: Esq. W.A. Douglass, a pioneer settler of Henderson County passed away last Saturday morning the 22nd, at 6 o'clock at his home in the 8th District about 13 miles north of Lexington, at the age of 91 years--in fact we are informed that his death occurred on the 91st day of his birth. Esq. Douglass at an early age came from the good state of North Carolina and for considerably more than half a century has been among the well-known, hard-working substantial citizens of the northern part of this county. He leaves one son and two or more daughters, besides a host of relatives and many friends who pay tribute to his memory as an honest and honorable man. Esq. Douglass was a Republican in politics and a life-long member of the Methodist Church at Rock Springs.

William Abel married Nancy Jane MILAM, daughter of William O. MILAM ( 1794-1872) & Mary LOWERY ( 1798-). Born on 15 Dec 1822 in Tennessee. At the age of 61, Nancy Jane died in Henderson County, Tennessee on 15 Jun 1884. Buried in Jun 1884 in Rock Springs Cemetery, Henderson County, Tennessee. Resided in District 8, Henderson County, Tennessee in 1870. Resided in House 157, 8th District, Henderson County, Tennessee in 1880. Religion: Rock Springs Methodist Church, Henderson County, Tennessee.

Member in good standing as of 1850, Rock Springs Methodist Church, Henderson County, Tennessee.

Gustina Quintine. Born in 1846. At the age of 74, Gustina Quintine died in 1920. Buried in 1920 in Rock Springs Cemetery, Henderson County, Tennessee. Resided in House 939, 10th District, Henderson County, Tennessee in 1860. Resided in District 8, Henderson County, Tennessee in 1870. Resided in House 157, 8th District, Henderson County, Tennessee in 1880. Alias/AKA: "Quintiny".

vi.

Nancy M.. Born on 22 Jan 1847 in Henderson County, Tennessee. At the age of 19, Nancy M. died in Henderson County, Tennessee on 4 Apr 1866. Buried in 1866 in Rock Springs Cemetery, Henderson County, Tennessee.

Malvina C.. Born on 16 Nov 1849 in Henderson County, Tennessee. Malvina C. died in Henderson County, Tennessee on 11 Oct 1850. Buried in Oct 1850 in Rock Springs Cemetery, Henderson County, Tennessee.

ix.

Henry Clay. Born on 24 Feb 1851 in Henderson County, Tennessee. At the age of 11, Henry Clay died in Henderson County, Tennessee on 11 Mar 1862. Buried in Mar 1862 in Rock Springs Cemetery, Henderson County, Tennessee.

10. Archibald Young DOUGLAS. Born on 26 May 1820 in North Carolina. At the age of 90, Archibald Young died in Tennessee on 10 Dec 1910. Buried in 1910 in Rock Springs Cemetery, Henderson County, Tennessee. Religion: Rock Springs Methodist Church, Henderson County, Tennessee. Alias/AKA: "A.Y" and/or "Archie".

Member in good standing as of 1850, Rock Springs Methodist Church, Henderson County, Tennessee.

On 1 Apr 1845 when Archibald Young was 24, he married Martha Jane MORROW, daughter of William B. MORROW (1795-1859) & Elizabeth HUTCHINSON (1795-1857). Born on 4 Mar 1826. At the age of 45, Martha Jane died in Tennessee on 5 Aug 1871. Buried in 1871 in Rock Springs Cemetery, Henderson County, Tennessee. Religion: Rock Springs Methodist Church, Henderson County, Tennessee.

Member in good standing as of 1850, Rock Springs Methodist Church, Henderson County, Tennessee.

Mary Frances. Born on 11 Jul 1854 in Henderson County, Tennessee. At the age of 49, Mary Frances died in Henderson County, Tennessee on 25 May 1904. Buried in May 1904 in Rock Springs Cemetery, Henderson County, Tennessee.

11. Elizabeth H. DOUGLAS. Born on 16 Feb 1823 in North Carolina. At the age of 65, Elizabeth H. died in 8th District, Henderson County, Tennessee on 6 Dec 1888. Buried in 1888 in Coffman Cemetery, Henderson County, Tennessee. Resided in District 8, Henderson County, Tennessee in 1850. Resided in District 8, Henderson County, Tennessee in 1860. Resided in District 8, Henderson County, Tennessee in 1870. Resided in District 8, Henderson County, Tennessee in 1880.

Confusion exists over the parents of Elizabeth H. Douglas because she appears to have been born after the death of her father, James Douglas. However, the obituary read prepared by her son, Daniel, at her husband's funeral states that she was the sister to A.Y. Douglas who was a son of James and Nancy Johnson Douglas.

On 20 Dec 1840 when Elizabeth H. was 17, she married Elder Samuel H. MEALS, son of Daniel J. MEALS (1791-1870) & Mary Ann COFFMAN (1789-1868). Born on 22 Jun 1813 in Jefferson County, Tennessee. At the age of 82, Samuel H. died in 8th District, Henderson County, Tennessee on 10 Dec 1895. Buried in 1895 in Coffman Cemetery, Henderson County, Tennessee. Resided in District 8, Henderson County, Tennessee in 1850. Resided in District 8, Henderson County, Tennessee in 1860. Resided in District 8, Henderson County, Tennessee in 1870. Resided in District 8, Henderson County, Tennessee in 1880.

It becomes my painful duty to announce to you the death of my father, Elder S.H Meals, which occurred at his old home place in Henderson County, Tennessee, on the 10th of December, 1895, at 8:05 p.m. Samuel H. Meals was born June 22, 1813, in Jefferson County, Tennessee; moved with his father, Elder Daniel Meals to North Alabama in December, 1819; professed a hope in Christ the third morning in October, 1845; joined the Old Baptist Church at Antioch, Limestone County, Alabama, which is a member of Flint River Association. He began to preach in 1847, and was ordained by Elders Wm. Crutcher, David Jacks, R.U. Crutcher and Samuel Edmondson in August, 1849, The deceased leaves two sons and one daughter, sixteen grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren to mourn his death. He was down about seven weeks, but said he was not suffering very much, but just seemed to be getting weaker in body all the time. The doctor said he could not bear strong medication, but he still loved the strong meat of the gospel. It seemed to be all his study, and the first time I went up to see him during his last sickness, while he could not sit up, he told us to sing some of his old familiar hymns, which we did, while he held his family prayer lying on his bed, and it seemed to me the strongest I ever heard around the old hearthstone. I felt it to be the last; and my mind ran back to the time when were all there at family prayer together with my mother. Yes, Oh Lord, bless the name of mother, who passed away seven years and four days before he did. Oh it made me shudder to think how little interest I had in the family prayer. Sometimes I would hurry off to bed to avoid it, and hear him asking the Lord to watch over his children, his neighbors and their children, together with Zion. He said the doctrine he tried to preach was the doctrine of God and the Bible, and that he was willing to risk his salvation on it, and admonished us all to hold to it and contend earnestly for it. His request was, that in his last moments we should sing his song, which was this: "Sing to me of Heaven." I was sitting at his bed and knew the time had come, and it bore so heavily on my mind I asked my brother's wife if she could help me sing the song. She said she would. If I ever asked the Lord to bear me up, that was one of the times. So we made the attempt and I never sang a song easier after the start, and by the time we were through singing, the neighbors and some of the members of the church were there--brother and sister Massey, and Brother John Waller. We asked him if he wanted the song sung again: he whispered "yes" and we sang it again. He then gave us the parting hand, and told us all to help him praise and bless God that Jesus died for him; and his last words were: "Bless God." He was laid away the next day at the old family grave yard in Henderson County, Tennessee, after an appropriate talk, singing and prayer by my mother's youngest brother, A.Y. Douglas. I do feel to rejoice and praise God that he spared him to live a good old age and be with his children, brethren and sisters. My sincere prayer is, that all his children will try to live as devoted to Christ as he did, and die as happy. Let us weep not, but follow the example of him who has gone before. It will not be long till we, too, must follow.

Dear bretheren, who edit and read the HEROLD OF TRUTH: I have for sometime though, when reading the experience of those dear bretheren and sisters who have been writing for the HEROLD OF TRUTH, I find that they have traveled over the same ground that I have, and some of them seem to have trod in the same steps, and when I read it, I hope I draw some sweet comfort from them and want them to know that I remember those way marks.

I was born in Jefferson County, in East Tennessee, on the 22nd day of June, in 1813, where my parents remained until the year 1819, when they moved to Madison County, in North Alabama; they joined the Old Baptist, (for there was no other kind known then as Baptist) and received the ordinance of Baptism frm the hands of Caleb Wilt, (an emminent man in his day). When they moved west they became members of Flint River Association; my father was a deacon before my recollection, and after, an ordained minister and remained so to the day of his death. My parents often called their children arount the family altar, and told them there was a God, who made the man all things, and from him they recieved life and all other blessings, and that we would all have to die and give an account for the deeds done in the body, whether they be good or evil, and if we died sinners we would appear sinners in judgement and where God and Christ was we could not dwell in peace, but the Lord was merciful and that he loved them poor, sinful, fallen man, that he gave his only son, who loved them so well that he left the courts of glory, the society of angels and the presence of his living father, and came to these low grounds of sorrow to save poor fallen man; died for their sins, and was raised again to grant repentance and remission of sins to the house of Israel, and was able to save to the utmost all that come to God by him; and that there was no other name given among men whereby we must be saved, and that life was the time and the only time allowed to men to forsake their evil ways and sins, and that God rewarded truth and punished falsehood, and that we must not take his name; for if we commited those sins God would appoint us our portion with the unbelievers, liars, and idolators, and we would be cast into the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone where the beasts and false prophets are, and be tormented day and night, forever and ever.

Not withstanding all these prayers and admonitions, it seemed, religion was a gloomy thing and was necessary for old people, and when I became old it would be time enought and would attend to it by and by, when I became a settled man, for, were I to leave the society I was then in I would lose all my earthly enjoyment; and the Arminians told me I could do these things and I had always believed it, and so I had always to attend to other things before I could, consistent with my feelings, reach it. Death would occur among my acquaintance and relatives I would, seemingly, feel a while and so contined to manhood.

Asa Harper Gaston. Born on 4 Jul 1845 in Alabama. At the age of 19, Asa Harper Gaston died in Metropolis, Illinois on 6 Apr 1865. Asa Harper Gaston served in the 7th Tennessee Cavalry, US, during the American Civil War. Resided in District 8, Henderson County, Tennessee in 1850. Resided in District 8, Henderson County, Tennessee in 1860.

Asa Harper Gaston Meals, Company A, 7th Cavalry (US), was captured at Trenton, Tennessee by the forces of Nathan Bedford Forrest, then again at Union City, Tennessee, and transferred to Andersonville Prison, Georgia. He was paroled at Northeast Ferry on March 3, 1865; was in the hospital at Annapolis, Maryland; furloughed on March 24, 1865; went to Metropolis, Illinois on furlough. Unfortunately, he caught small pox and died in Metropolis, Illinois on April 5, 1865. His burial site has never been identified.

Andrew Lafayette. Born on 26 Nov 1851 in Tennessee. Andrew Lafayette died on 13 Nov 1852.

vi.

Mary Elizabeth. Born on 21 Jan 1855 in Henderson County, Tennessee. At the age of 85, Mary Elizabeth died in Tennessee in 1941. Buried in 1941 in Coffman Cemetery, Henderson County, Tennessee. Resided in District 13, Carroll County, Tennessee in 1860. Resided in District 8, Henderson County, Tennessee in 1870. Resided in District 8, Henderson County, Tennessee in 1880. Resided in District 8, Henderson County, Tennessee in 1900. Resided in District 13, Carroll County, Tennessee in 1930.

Mary Elizabeth married James M. SMITH, son of Charles B. SMITH (1805-1863) & Sarah A.P. BRIDGES ( 1825-). Born in 1843 in Mississippi. At the age of 81, James M. died in Tennessee in 1924. Buried in 1924 in Coffman Cemetery, Henderson County, Tennessee. Resided in District 16, Carroll County, Tennessee in 1850. Resided in District 13, Carroll County, Tennessee in 1860. Resided in District 8, Henderson County, Tennessee in 1870. Resided in District 8, Henderson County, Tennessee in 1900.